Where to Camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges
Where to Camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges
There are six main locations worth considering when planning a camping trip through the West Macs: Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Chalet, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Glen Helen.
They're not all the same, though. Some are easily accessible in a regular car, while others require a high-clearance 4WD. Some have showers and cooking facilities, while others expect you to arrive completely self-sufficient.
And Glen Helen, although a popular accommodation option in the past, is currently closed.
Standley Chasm Campground
If you're looking for a campground with a few more creature comforts, Standley Chasm is a good place to start. Located about 40 minutes west of Alice Springs, Standley Chasm is privately owned and operated by the Western Arrernte Aboriginal Corporation.
Unlike some of the more basic national park campgrounds, Standley Chasm has hot showers, a camp kitchen, barbecue facilities and even a washing machine. There's also a café and gift shop, which is particularly handy if you don't feel like cooking every meal yourself.
Quick Details
Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 50km
Road access: Sealed road, suitable for 2WD vehicles
Camping options: Tents, camper trailers, caravans and campervans
Facilities: Toilets, hot showers, some powered sites, camp kitchen, café, barbecues and washing machine
Bookings: Directly through Standley Chasm
Best suited to: Campers wanting a few extra facilities without returning to Alice Springs
Walks and Attractions Near Standley Chasm
The obvious attraction here is Standley Chasm itself. A short walk follows Angkerle Creek between river gums and towering rock walls before reaching the narrow opening of the chasm.
There's also the short Angkerle Loop Lookout walk, which gives you views across the surrounding ranges.
For more experienced hikers, Standley Chasm provides access to Sections 3 and 4 of the Larapinta Trail.
And if you're travelling with a vehicle, Simpsons Gap is another worthwhile stop along the way.
Ellery Creek Big Hole Campground
Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the better-known swimming spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges. It's also a convenient place to camp if you're exploring the central section of the West Macs.
The campground is fairly basic, but it has toilets, gas barbecues and designated camping areas suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans.
Quick Details
Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 80km
Road access: 2WD, with a short unsealed access road
Camping options: Tents, camper trailers, caravans and campervans
Facilities: Toilets, gas barbecues, picnic areas and firepits
Bookings: NT Parks online booking system
Best suited to: Campers looking for a simple base near a swimming hole and walking trails
Walks and Attractions Near Ellery Creek Big Hole
You don't need to go far to enjoy the main attraction. The waterhole is only a short walk from the parking area, making it an easy place to spend an afternoon.
For something a little more adventurous, there's the Dolomite Walk, which explores the fascinating geology surrounding Ellery Creek.
There's also the much longer Ellery Creek Loop Walk, a challenging 32km hike that incorporates part of the Larapinta Trail.
Serpentine Chalet Bush Campground
Serpentine Chalet is bush camping, with no toilets, showers or other conveniences waiting for you at the end of the day.
But if you're travelling with your own camping equipment and prefer somewhere more basic, Serpentine Chalet offers an alternative to the busier tourist campgrounds.
Quick Details
Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 105km
Road access: High-clearance 4WD
Camping options: Tents and camper trailers; no caravans or motorhomes
Facilities: No facilities at the bush campground
Bookings: NT Parks online booking system
Best suited to: Self-sufficient campers with a suitable 4WD who prefer a basic bush camp
Walks and Attractions Near Serpentine Chalet
Serpentine Chalet is particularly useful for hikers exploring the Larapinta Trail, with Sections 8 and 9 passing through this part of the ranges.
Nearby Serpentine Gorge has a short walk into the gorge itself, along with a lookout that gives you a better view of the surrounding landscape.
For experienced hikers, the longer Larapinta Trail sections provide access to rugged ridgelines and some spectacular views, including the well-known Counts Point lookout.
The Ochre Pits are another nearby attraction worth visiting. This culturally significant site has colourful bands of ochre exposed in the rock face and is only a short walk from the parking area.
Ormiston Gorge Campground
Ormiston Gorge is a particularly good option if hiking is high on your list of things to do.
With several walking trails starting nearby, a permanent waterhole and a seasonal kiosk, there's plenty to keep you occupied without having to drive anywhere.
It's also one of the more accessible campgrounds in the West Macs, with 2WD access and facilities suitable for people who don't want to go completely off-grid.
Quick Details
Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 135km
Road access: Suitable for 2WD vehicles
Camping options: Tents, camper trailers, caravans and campervans
Facilities: Toilets, showers, kiosk (open seasonally), gas barbecues and picnic areas
Bookings: NT Parks online booking system
Best suited to: Hikers, families and campers wanting several activities close to their campsite
Walks and Attractions Near Ormiston Gorge
This is where Ormiston Gorge really stands out.
If you're after something short and easy, the walk into the gorge follows a relatively flat path to the permanent waterhole.
The Ghost Gum Lookout is another excellent option, particularly around sunrise when the changing light brings out the colours in the surrounding ranges. You can return from the lookout or continue along the longer Ghost Gum Loop, which descends into the gorge.
For more experienced hikers, there's the Ormiston Pound Walk. This 8.5km circuit climbs into the ranges before descending into the enormous natural amphitheatre of Ormiston Pound. It's a longer, rougher walk, but the views are well worth the effort.
Ormiston Gorge is also a major stop on the Larapinta Trail, with Sections 9 and 10 connecting through the area.
Redbank Gorge Campgrounds
Further west, near the base of Mount Sonder, Redbank Gorge offers a more remote camping experience.
There are two campgrounds here — Woodland and Ridgetop — and both are fairly basic.
Woodland is the more suitable option for people travelling with caravans, while Ridgetop is better suited to tents and camper trailers.
Quick Details
Distance from Alice Springs: Approximately 155km
Road access: High-clearance 4WD
Camping options: Tents and camper trailers at both; caravans and motorhomes at Woodland only
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables and firepits; gas barbecues at Woodland
Bookings: NT Parks online booking system
Best suited to: Self-sufficient campers and hikers exploring the western ranges
Walks and Attractions Near Redbank Gorge
The Redbank Gorge Walk is the obvious place to start.
The trail follows a rocky creek bed towards the gorge, where a narrow waterhole sits between steep red rock walls. It's a relatively short walk, although the loose rocks underfoot can make it slower going than the distance suggests.
For serious hikers, Mount Sonder summit walk is a challenging climb, but it rewards hikers with enormous views across the West MacDonnell Ranges. It's also Section 12, the final section of the Larapinta Trail.
If you're planning an early start for Mount Sonder, camping at Redbank Gorge puts you much closer to the trailhead than staying back at Alice Springs.
Glen Helen Campground — Currently Closed
Glen Helen has long been one of the better-known accommodation locations in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Unfortunately, Glen Helen's accommodation and camping facilities are currently closed, with no confirmed reopening date. If it ever does reopen, we’d love to check it out and add the details to our list.
Other Bush Camping Options in the West Macs
If you've got a high-clearance 4WD and you're comfortable camping without many facilities, there are a few more options worth considering.
Finke River Two Mile is a bush campground, with camping along the dry riverbed. You'll need to bring your own water and camping equipment, and check river conditions before heading in.
Birthday Waterhole is another remote camping option, providing access to a particularly rugged section of the ranges and the Larapinta Trail.
Which West MacDonnell Campground Should You Choose?
That really depends on the kind of trip you're planning.
If you'd prefer a few more comforts, Standley Chasm has hot showers, a camp kitchen and a café.
If you're looking for somewhere simple beside a beautiful swimming hole, Ellery Creek Big Hole is worth considering.
For hikers, Ormiston Gorge has a fantastic selection of walks starting close to the campground, while Redbank Gorge is a good base for anyone planning to climb Mount Sonder.
And if you're comfortable camping with very few facilities, Serpentine Chalet or one of the more remote bush camps might be exactly what you're looking for.
Whichever you choose, spending a few nights out in the West MacDonnell Ranges gives you more time to explore the gorges, tackle the hiking trails and enjoy this spectacular part of Central Australia without spending half your holiday driving back to Alice Springs.
If you'd love to take on a camping trip through Central Australia but don't have the right gear to take on the trip, check out Adventure Rentals. That's who we used for this trip and the car, gear, and people we dealt with were all fantastic!
